Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Whittlesea
- Type: Scow Schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: John Miner
- Dimensions: Length 91 ft (27.7 m); Beam 27.4 ft; Depth of hold 7.6 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 109 tons
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 26840
- Original Owners: John Miner, J. B. Chapin, Manville Hyde, John L. Woods
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
Description
Description: The Whittlesea was a wooden scow schooner built in 1856, featuring a single deck and two masts. It was primarily used for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
History
History: The Whittlesea was enrolled at Detroit in 1856, initially rated at 115 tons. It experienced a stranding incident in 1858 near Burchville, Lake Huron. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times, with significant events including a rebuild in 1866 and a transfer of enrollment to various districts.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- 1858: Stranded in gale near Burchville, Lake Huron.
- 1866: Rebuilt and enlarged at Port Huron, MI.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition: The Whittlesea was formally abandoned in 1873 in Cleveland, Ohio, on Lake Erie. Its condition is presumed to be dismantled or scuttled, with no reported casualties.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility: The exact location and condition of the wreck are unknown, but it is presumed dismantled or scuttled.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”whittlesea-us-26840″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary: The Whittlesea serves as a historical example of mid-19th century maritime trade in the Great Lakes, reflecting the transition from wooden vessels to more modern designs.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Vessel Identification & Profile
- Name: Whittlesea
- Official Number: 26840
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: John Miner
- Build Location: Detroit, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Masts: 2
- Original Owner: John Miner, Detroit, MI
Dimensions
- Length: 91 ft
- Beam: 27.4 ft
- Depth: 7.6 ft
- Tonnage (Old Style): 109 tons
Operational History
- 1856: Enrolled at Detroit, initially rated at 115 tons
- 1858, Aug: Stranded in gale near Burchville, Lake Huron
- 1863: Owned by J. B. Chapin, Detroit; enrolled in Cleveland District
- 1864: Enrollment transferred to Sandusky District
- 1865: Reenrolled at Detroit, surrendered Sandusky enrollment
- 1866: Rebuilt and enlarged at Port Huron, MI
- 1866, Oct 17: Reenrolled Port Huron under ownership of Manville Hyde and John L. Woods, Lexington, MI
- 1868: Recorded at 107.5 gross tons; based in Port Huron
Final Disposition
- Date of Loss: 1873
- Cause: Abandoned
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Condition: Presumed dismantled or scuttled
- Casualties: None reported
Historical Significance
The Whittlesea was a typical mid-19th century scow schooner involved in bulk cargo and regional trade across Lake Erie and Lake Huron. After multiple ownership and registry changes, it was rebuilt in 1866 and operated out of Port Huron before being formally abandoned in 1873. Like many such vessels, its service life ended quietly as newer, more efficient designs replaced early wooden schooners.
Sources & Documentation
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection
- Enrollment & Ownership Records (Detroit, Cleveland, Sandusky, Port Huron)
- Marine directories and tonnage records
Keywords and Categories
- Region: Lake Erie, Cleveland; Lake Huron
- Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
- Cause of Loss: Abandonment
- Material: Wood
- Period: 1856–1873
- Final Status: Abandoned